Mumbai bans plastic: A list of items you can and can’t use

The Maharashtra government had imposed a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials across the state from today. Here’s a list of plastic items that are banned and the ones you can use.

People are seen using plastic bags at the Crawford market in Mumbai.(Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Authorities have said they will fine offenders up to Rs 25,000 as penalty for not following the plastic ban that comes into effect in Maharashtra on Saturday.

The Maharashtra government had on March 23 issued a notification imposing a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials, including one-time use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will levy a fine of Rs 5,000 for the first offence, Rs 1,000 fine for the second one and Rs 25,000 fine for every subsequent violation.

The BMC’s 249-member squad will educate Mumbai residents about the ban over the weekend, but it will start handing out fines from Monday.

Here’s a list of plastic items that are illegal to use or exempt from the ban:

DON’T USE THESE FROM TODAY

All kindsof plastic bags (with and without handle), garbage bags

All one-time usedisposable items made up of plastic and thermocol, such as cutlery, plates and bowls.

Compostableplastic material used for nurseries, horticulture and agriculture

Milk bags and plastic bottles used in packaged water industry. Milk bags and bottles will have to be recycled by collecting them back. Or else, customers have to pay a nominal recycling fee to shopkeeper